Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Twisted Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, garlicky parmesan cream sauce combined with melted mozzarella and perfectly cooked twisted pasta. Garnished with fresh herbs, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta & Cheese
- 8 oz twisted pasta (like rotini or fusilli)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the twisted pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
- Sear Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter until melted and hot. Add the chicken breasts and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let rest on a plate before slicing.
- Sauté Garlic & Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté briefly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until it just starts to simmer.
- Add Parmesan & Thicken Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta & Cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce in the skillet, stirring to coat all the pasta thoroughly. Then add the shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese and stir gently until the cheese melts completely into the sauce.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken breasts and serve them on top of or alongside the cheesy garlic parmesan pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- You can use any short twisted pasta like fusilli or rotini for best sauce adherence.
- Resting the chicken after cooking ensures juicy slices and prevents dryness.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
